Genese Davis's Blog, page 14
April 1, 2014
WonderCon presents: e-Sports – How to become a pro competitor
Friday April 18th
5:00 – 6:00 E-Sports – How to Become a Pro Competitor
We’re seeing a groundbreaking evolution happening in e-Sports as pro players become recognized as professional athletes who are awarded visas and salaries. However, the journey for them has not been easy. Join Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion & MMORPG.com,) Johnathan Wendel (Fatal1ty,) Scott Smith (Sir Scoots, COO Evil Geniuses,) Eric Abramian (Blood Legion, Team Razer) Margaret Krohn (Sony Online Entertainment,) and John Liao (Evil Geniuses) as they discuss the opportunities and obstacles players face when seeking viable careers as e-Sports competitors. This high-powered panel will divulge exactly what it takes to become a pro gamer and how the e-Sports evolution is impacting the video game industry at large.
Wondercon brings pop culture to life in a most extraordinary way. Celebrating epic fandom, esteemed creators, talented artists, and renowned actors, WonderCon presents a mega entertainment event. Be sure to stop by the Anaheim show April 18-19-20!
Let’s connect! Find all the latest updates on my Facebook and Twitter!
March 31, 2014
St Louis Comic Con Programming April 4-5-6
Don’t miss Wizard World’s mega Comic Con event in St. Louis at the America’s Center. The following high-powered panels are a must see!
Friday
6:30 – 7:15PM VIDEO GAMES AND OUR FUTURE: WE’RE ALL GAMERS
Four giants of the Video Game industry join forces for this highly-anticipated panel. Don’t miss author Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion & MMORPG.com,) Seth Coster (Butterscotch Shenanigans,) Eric Kieron (Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft,) and Jen Patton (International Game Developer’s Association, & The Comic Creator’s Coffee Club) give their insight on everything ranging from creating futuristic video games to delving into themes that span the most prevalent elements of pop culture. Video gamers of all ability levels can get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at video game story details, gameplay features, and the influence video games possess in both video game culture and pop culture at large. The high-power panelists will discuss the past of video game culture as it compares to today and how it can all show what is to come. (ROOM 144)
Saturday
11:30 – 12:15PM CREATIVITY THAT LASTS
As an artist, writer, actor, musician or creator, there is nothing more challenging than the development of the creative process. Is art birthed from the spontaneous or is it a result of a carefully crafted rhythm and structure? In this panel, esteemed creators, Rob Prior (Spawn; Deep Space 9; Evil Ernie; Heavy Metal,) Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion,) Aaron Dontez Yates (Tech N9ne,) and Eric Kieron (Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft) will describe how to overcome creative obstacles and share their keys to unleashing creativity. (ROOM 144)
4:00 – 4:45PM WHAT VIDEO GAMES CAN TEACH
Advocating for a learner-centered approach often brings up the question, “Won’t my kids just play video games all day?” Although the answer to that is multi-faceted, we know that no experience is devoid of learning. And, in fact, some may have more opportunities for development than we first believe. Join special guests Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion & MMORPG.com,) Eric Kieron (Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft,) Matt Raithel (Studio Director, Graphite Lab,) Carol Mertz (Happy Badger Studio,) and Sam Coster (Butterscotch Shenanigans) as they discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks to video games and how to navigate both. This high-powered panel will plunge into video game culture and its social developement divulging how video games affect our lives and education. (ROOM 144)
Sunday
11:30 – 12:15PM THE HERO’S JOURNEY: EXPLORING STAR WARS, LOTR, HARRY POTTER AND MORE
In this exciting panel our special guests will discuss Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey and how his analogy fits in with many pop culture series. Join Rhiannon Paille (Last City on Earth,) Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion,) Adron Buske (Loop & Hoodie, Good Intentions,) and Jeffrey Johnson (Hex Games) explore everything from Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and more. Join us for a fun time! (ROOM 144)
1:30 – 2:15PM WONDER WOMEN OF THE 21ST CENTURY
We couldn’t imagine our favorite comic book, TV show, or film without our beloved super heroines, however the journey for them has not been easy. Whether it’s cultural barriers or societal sexism, super women have had to fight more than just crime in order to survive. Come join author Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion) Eric Kieron (Warcraft, Starcraft, Diablo,) Megan Levens (Madame Frankenstein,) Danny Fingeroth (Superman on the Couch,) and Julianna Pardue (Creative Distillery) discuss the challenges and obstacles of creating relevant female protagonists. They will divulge not only important discoveries, but relevant discussions about gender in entertainment and pop culture. (ROOM 144)
2:00 – 2:45PM HOW TO BE A NERD FOR A LIVING
Join our professional nerds from a variety of backgrounds discuss their jobs within pop culture, entertainment, gaming, comics, and more! Get advice and discover opportunities on how to make your way in these ever-growing industries and transform your passion into your career. Don’t miss Wendy Buske (Nerd for a Living,) Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion & MMORPG.com,) and more special guest speakers divulge their pro secrets! (ROOM 160)
SHOW HOURS
Friday, April 4, 2014 – 3pm – 8pm
Saturday, April 5, 2014 – 10am – 7pm
Sunday, April 6, 2014 – 11am – 5pm
LOCATION:
America’s Center
701 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101
Wizard World Comic Con brings pop culture to life in a most extraordinary way. By producing these one-of-a-kind conventions across North America, Wizard World celebrates the entertainment industry, bringing together epic fandom, esteemed creators, and breathtaking artwork.
Let’s connect! Find all the latest updates on my Facebook and Twitter!
March 30, 2014
The Holder’s Dominion 0.99 Cents Sale!
GREAT DEAL ALERT
The Holder’s Dominion e-Book is on sale for 0.99 cents!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
“The Holder’s Dominion is a heartfelt, fast-paced thrill ride. . . . ” —Micky Neilson, New York Times-bestselling author
“You fall at once into Kaylie’s world. . . . It will keep you turning the pages.” —Christie Golden, New York Times-bestselling author of Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi—Ascension
“Through Davis’ work, my fledgling relationship with ‘gamer’s lit’ has evolved into a full-blown love affair.” —Seacoast Online
“. . . despite not being familiar with this culture of gamers, I had no problem getting sucked into the story.”—MariReads
“It is an amazing story that flows beautifully, catches the reader’s interest very quickly and leaves you wanting more.”—My Bookish Fairy Tale
“My secret hope is that [Davis’s] strong heroine’s experiences in such a rich gaming world inspires more women to enter the game industry. . . .” —Billy Cain, vice-chairman, International Game Developers Association – Austin
“Davis creates both an everyday world and a world of adventure, then she laces them together and pulls tightly.” —Richard A. Bartle, PhD, Professor of Game Design, University of Essex
“Gaming has never looked more intriguing . . . or inviting.” —Kristian Nairn
“The Holder’s Dominion is an award winning novel based in a next-gen MMORPG universe. If you’re a gamer or know one, it’s a must-read.”—Patrick Scott Patterson
“. . .I can’t wait to read [Davis's] next book”—Cheryl’s Book Nook
“Genese Davis is an author to watch.” —James Waugh
SYNOPSIS:
After her father’s death on a mountain rescue mission, Kaylie Ames watched her family shatter. She fled Tacoma for college in faraway Austin, figuring that even the worst campus drama would be a relief. But when her old friend Elliott turns up on his knees in the grocery store aisle, raving about something called a morphis, Kaylie feels compelled to enter Elliott’s unfamiliar world.
Guided by Elliott and his friends, Kaylie signs on to the massively popular online game Edannair. There she discovers a world of beautiful vistas and magical creatures, where people from all over the globe step into the roles of warriors on fantastical quests. But a real-world evil threatens the players: the mysterious Holder, leader of the elite team known as Sarkmarr, is coercing his followers into traumatic offline dares known as “morphis assignments.” To save her friends, Kaylie must infiltrate Sarkmarr and survive the Holder’s tests.
Will she find the courage there to hold her real-world family together?
The Holder’s Dominion e-Book sale is this week only!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
March 29, 2014
MMORPGcom: Shining a Beacon on PVP
There’s nothing quite like sitting smack dab in the middle of a live event. During BlizzCon in 2010 and 2011, I sat in the midst of thousands of roaring fans watching the Starcraft and Warcraft tournaments. I remember feeling as though the convention center itself might shake from our clapping and cheering. The crowds were relentless! People kept shouting, moving in and out of their seats, popping in and out of my periphery. I could see the projection screens and flashing cameras, and heard the tangle of high and low voices. The fans were cumbersome. Between the gasping, the sudden boos and cheers, and the ardent clapping, it felt equally as epic as the SuperBowl or any UFC match. But when comparing mainstream televised sports with e-sports, I couldn’t help but be bothered by how many people are still unfamiliar with these incredible events—the events of pro-gaming.
Whether we’re watching the best golfers play the Masters tournament or the best fighters on UFC, being a part of these live events is electrifying. So, with all the support from fans around the world for games like League of Legends, Starcraft, Halo, and Call of Duty, how can we get more mainstream television channels to broadcast pro gaming tournaments? Obviously pro-gaming doesn’t need mainstream television exposure to be successful, but how cool would it be if people who would never normally be exposed to pro-gaming got to witness professional gamers the way we (players and those “in the know”) do. Just yesterday, I had conversations with several parents and grandparents who still had no idea that pro-gaming exists, and knew nothing about how many opportunities are exploding for viable careers in gaming. If we can get more mainstream exposure for gaming tournaments, parents and grandparents could see the evolution of our beloved e-sports. There have been competitions for over 30 years dating back to the Space Invaders tournaments, and my hope is to even the playing field (no pun intended) and shine an even brighter beacon on video games and the revolutionary sport of pro-gaming!
Vast amounts of people will nod their head when you name drop NFL players or pro golfers. But mention a pro-gamer’s name and there are only a limited amount of circles that will recognize who you’re talking about. My goal is to change this and for pro-gaming players’ names to be easily recognizable just like players in football, basketball, etc. How can we get this to happen? One thing that might help bridge this gap is media coverage behind the player’s story—the personal life of the pro-gamer. For example: We’re all pretty familiar with some of the mainstream reality shows like The Ultimate Fighter or American Idol. If someone watches even one episode, he/she is not only going to see the star fight or sing, but is also going to get a glimpse inside their personal life, too. After dozens of interview clips, and carefully crafted edited scenes, the audience gets ample footage of the fighter’s/singer’s hometown, family-life, and personal struggles. Through this extra footage we get to know them—we get a connection with who they are and their personal story. When we are able to empathize on a personal level, it opens opportunities for us to relate and root for our favorite contestants.
This is where I hope we take PvP. If pro-gaming becomes a mainstream televised event tomorrow, (but not just the game-play, the players themselves need to be showcased, too) people who misjudge gamers will witness the personal side to gaming, and the planetary scale gaming has reached. When I wrote the new gamer fiction, The Holder’s Dominion, I knew I wanted to highlight PvP in a way that shows this fan-to-player inclusion, and how influential fans can be to the players. The MMO world in the novel is called Edannair and has attributes that separate it from other online games, but was crafted in a way so that readers unfamiliar with MMOs and unfamiliar with games like League of Legends could get a glimpse into how impactful PvP can be for players and fans alike.
Our professional and social circles can be pretty diverse. I have the unique opportunity of working alongside video game industry professionals, while also working with non-gaming circles. I strive to bring these two circles together by offering the new perceptions and education I’ve encountered. But I need your help. Help me spread the word that The Holder’s Dominion is a must read for gamers or anyone who knows a gamer! We can bring worldwide familiarity with e-sports and hopefully get even more mainstream recognition. When will our local grocery stores be selling e-Sports themed napkins and paper plates in preparation for the worldwide championship game? Let’s hope sooner rather than later!
Let’s connect! Find me on Facebook, and Twitter!
Until then: Game On, and Lark Your Life.
Published on MMORPG.com
March 28, 2014
Wizard World and Genese Davis Present: Creativity That Lasts
CREATIVITY THAT LASTS
As an artist, writer, actor, musician or creator, there is nothing more challenging than the development of the creative process. Is art birthed from the spontaneous or is it a result of a carefully crafted rhythm and structure? In this panel, esteemed creators, Rob Prior (Spawn; Deep Space 9; Evil Ernie; Heavy Metal,) Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion,) Aaron Dontez Yates (Tech N9ne,) and Eric Kieron (Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft) will describe how to overcome creative obstacles and share their keys to unleashing creativity.
Wizard World Comic Con brings pop culture to life in a most extraordinary way. By producing these one-of-a-kind conventions across North America, Wizard World celebrates the entertainment industry, bringing together epic fandom, esteemed creators, and breathtaking artwork.
Be sure to stop by the St. Louis show April 4-5-6!
Let’s connect! Find all the latest updates on my Facebook and Twitter!
March 27, 2014
MMORPG.com: Developing a Fantasy MMO (for novels)
How do you go about developing an online game for a next-gen video game themed novel? Let’s take a look at some tools I used.
I’ve been asked quite a few times which scene or characters in The Holder’s Dominion were the most difficult for me to write and why. And I’d have to say developing the online game world for Edannair (the game world in Holder’s) was definitely challenging. Some nights I’d wonder, “How am I ever going to create an online world on my own for this novel? This is a job for teams of people!” There are thousands upon thousands of details that go into designing games, so writing and creating an online game that doesn’t yet exist was intimidating. There were many late nights of “blue sky sessions” plus research and development, but it was a blast creating new elements to show how the gaming experience enlightens people’s lives.
So why invent a fantasy MMORPG to base The Holder’s Dominion around rather than, say, write a straight fantasy novel set in Edannair? Although writing a fantasy novel set in Edannair is a really cool idea, what inspired me to create this MMO goes back to the goals for this story—connecting people together. Even if a reader has never touched an MMO, he or she can read The Holder’s Dominion and experience a glimpse of what an MMO offers, what it’s like to collaborate with others on such a world-wide scale, and ultimately see a new perspective to why gamers game. A speculative thriller like Holder’s is an approachable form of entertainment for communities unfamiliar with fantasy novels or fantasy worlds in video games.
What’s the secret to developing a fantasy MMO like Edannair? Well, I don’t have the secret, but I have a method that worked for me, and I hope that this quick overview might enhance the development for your design projects as well:
Name of the Game?
Determining the title of your game will help set the foundation for your MMO. Once you know the name, you know the answers to quite a lot of other things. The MMO title in Holder’s is Edannair, so instantly we know it is fantasy. Determine what MMO you are developing by ruling out what you are not developing: Fantasy? Real-world? PvP and PvE? Modern? Renaissance? Mystery? Comedy? Tragedy? Focus on the basics of how the world will look and feel, and then what is at stake for this world. Is it evolving? Deserted? Other details like the races, classes, spells and abilities, names of bosses, and quests will come later.
Reference and Research:
Once you know the genre of your MMO, you can build from there. Immerse yourself in the worlds you’re attempting to create. Jot down notes as you play and read about MMOs and use these notes for reference. For example, Final Fantasy XI is my favorite video game because of how much it changed my life and my perspective on video games. It was the first online video game I ever played and it showed me how interactive and social gaming can be. In Final Fantasy XIthere is a translator function where the player can tab through phrases in different languages and select the appropriate questions/responses. So, even though you’re playing from one country, you can still meet and forge friendships with players from all over the world. This aspect of the game absolutely inspired ideas for how Edannair could come alive, and was the driving force behind my goal to illuminate the team-effort and collaborative communication that MMOs produce.
Let the Blue Sky Sessions Unfurl:
Imagine anything. As you play your favorite MMOs think about what you could add to enhance the game-play. Listen to other players as they discuss what they also wish existed in-game. “See a Need, Fill a Need.” This quote from the movie Robots has stayed with me since the film’s release. As I imagined the MMO world for Edannair, I tried to focus on a few main changes. What things could enhance MMOs even more? What game mechanics would I invent? The three areas I decided to focus on were more fan inclusion for PvP, a different approach to exploration, and a new raiding twist.
Create a Bestiary:
As you build your MMO, your ideas may become pages and pages of notes. Starting a bestiary is a great way to organize elements of your world. This way you have a central hub where you’ve compiled all your research, plus it will help with your style sheet during the final development and editing stages. We’ve all seen those in-depth and thorough bestiaries in our favorite RPG strategy guides, right? Now, you can spend extra time creating your own guide and have a tangible document to compare. This is also when you’ll start developing every minute detail of your MMO. It is now the time to nail down each race, class, spell and ability. As well as maps, zones, bosses, and quests… Examine your creatures, elements, and game-encounters, and then compare them to your MMO goals. Spreadsheets and whiteboards are great tools for seeing the big picture overview. Get inspired by the art form in design, and above all, have a blast!
Map the World:
Don’t be afraid to break out the napkins and scribble out maps and zones. Visually connect your zones together. Think about the flow from one map to the other, and how the history and lore affects those areas. What countries or continents are thriving? Who first inhabited these lands? How did the world evolve and change? Edannair’s world became more and more alive as I determined the world’s details. It really helped pull the overview together in a tangible way that inspired even more aspects of the game.
Here are some examples of notes from Edannair’s early development:
Planet name: Ylora. The first inhabitants on this planet were the child-like Elowfons. The Elowfons were invaded by the Mirinkai. Aiding the Elowfons were the sea-elves, etc.
Examples of zones and continents:
Edannair = central “main” continent
Orexia’s Sea = the ocean that separates the island of Vile Xors from Edannair
Vile Xors = the island in Orexia’s Sea (where Demon Paths Converge is found)
Below is a zone in Edannair brought to life by the incredibly talented Senior Matte Painter, Fabio Barretta Zungrone. His talent in the video game industry continues to bring the most impeccable matte paintings in some of our most beloved games.
Style Sheet:
This will become a must. As you develop the details of your MMO, you’ll need a way to keep track of specific editorial decisions. Lists, charts, and graphs will be your very dear friend when you open the Pandora’s box of a new world. A disclosure for your style sheet could look like this example from Holder’s:
Specific Editorial Decisions:
This story has a variety of invented names for specific species, unearthly creatures, places, roles, spells, and ranks. What follows is a general system for deciding capitalization.
Names of peoples should be capitalized along English-language patterns: cf. human, dwarf, demon, etc. If it is a name that people apply to themselves, capitalize it. If it is a description of the kind of being, lowercase.
Items in the game are capitalized per the author’s decision on whether a proper noun is involved. Thus, “furwoven cloth” is a mere description and not capped, but “Dirambic ruby” involves a placename and is capped appropriately (cf. “primrose” but “Abyssinian primrose”). Same pattern applies to animals.
Spells are a specific combination of ingredients and movements and should be capitalized. (I patterned them along the lines of dances, in which generic steps are combined into unique patterns, i.e., the waltz step BUT the Electric Slide.)
Skill-sets are lowercase: ranger, shadowlock, paladin. Ranks are capitalized: Highmark, Shade, etc.
Next your style sheet will have alphabetical lists like so:
Character Names
Ames, Bruce
Ames, Emma
Ames, Kaylie “Kay”
Spell and Challenge Names
Aquatica
Augur’s Cry
Species and Creatures
Allika
Asrai
Aveolight
Edannair Word List
Alabaster Hills
Aldium
Archnigh officer
This guide represents one way to jumpstart your MMO design. It takes hundreds of hours to develop the tremendous amounts of history and lore for these vast worlds, and I hold so much admiration for MMORPG designers. When creating something as large as an MMO, there will be a lot of decisions to make. It may sound odd, but the more boundaries you set for your world, the easier it is to create. Envision your story, and it will evolve. It is a massive amount of work, but worth it in the end.
Part of what makes the world of Edannair so unique is the PvP twists. Find out more about this possible future for PvP in my next post!
Over to you: What methods do you use to design MMOs, other types of video games, or novels?
Let’s connect! Find me on Facebook, and Twitter!
Until then: Game On, and Lark Your Life.
Published at MMORPG.com
March 20, 2014
Genese Davis on 1337 Lounge Live Tonight!
Tonight, I’m looking forward to reuniting with the epic crew over at 1337 Lounge Live. Last year we had an amazing show discussing The Holder’s Dominion and how this next-gen thriller is bringing real gaming experiences to the literary platform in a breakthrough way. Catch the recap here.
This time we have even more to share with upcoming video game, film, and literary projects you are sure to love! Don’t miss a minute!
See you tonight LIVE in the lounge!
Click here to watch the show at 1337LoungeLive.com
January 27, 2014
MMORPG.com: Video Game Lounges on the Rise
In last week’s Holiday Gaming Traditions column, we discussed how video games can salvage our friends’ holiday plans even when they go up in flames. When we’re led to create new traditions, we discover gaming scenarios that shape and ultimately change aspects of our gaming culture.
It’s no secret that gaming culture shifts as technology advances. Take the arcade days for example. Unfortunately, I was born after the golden age of arcades, so I don’t know it personally, but I know it as a cultural icon. Even though I didn’t grow up in that time, I appreciate the environment and gaming culture arcades provided, and I continue to seek out venues that have classic arcades. The same applies to traditional LAN parties. Some may assume since friends can play online together, LAN parties have fallen out of favor in gaming culture. But LAN parties are still popular throughout the world, despite the inconvenience of packing up all your gear. Neat fact: DreamHack located in Sweden holds the world record for the largest LAN party at 12,754 connected systems.
In 2007, the Dutch game industry surpassed the Dutch film industry for the first time in history. In 2009, the profits of Britain’s video game industry exceeded those from its film industry for the first time. In Japan, China, and South Korea, we continue to see the popularity for arcades and gaming lounges grow and grow to new heights. In fact, when I was in Shanghai, I got to experience firsthand the energy and intense popularity of gaming cafes. Talking to the local gamers was a blast. They shared their stories about how gaming lounges have always been the main places they game. They said that a lot of their friends and family don’t have either the living space, fast enough internet, or the resources to purchase their own gaming station at home. Gaming lounges and internet cafes are the fun, spacious, affordable option for great gaming. It’s not only a youth hot spot, but a great place for couples and families to enjoy as well.
Here’s where I’m going with all of this. We’re seeing more and more video game themed businesses embraced and supported all over the world. Video game bars, nightclubs, restaurants, lounges, and competitive centers are popping up everywhere. The discussions that suggest arcades are gone, or gaming lounges will never become popular are outdated. I’ve been discussing gaming lounges and arcade bars with both local owners and with the local patrons who swear by them.
Within these local gaming venues, I’ve met both young and adult gamers from all walks of life with varying interests, thus debunking the stereotype that gaming lounges only attract one dimensional crowds. These gamers agree that gaming in their homes is wonderful, and will forever be one avenue they use, but gaming lounges and arcade bars offer a completely different experience. Their social and competitive aspects become cultural attractions, and carry on the spirit of traditional arcades and LAN parties.
There is a specific type of energy in gaming venues that you cannot recreate at home. As opposed to inviting your friends to a movie, bowling, or miniature golf, gaming lounges are becoming the nightly hotspots, weekend destination, and ideal venue for hosting events. And we’re not just talking large venues like Dave & Buster’s. New, locally owned video game businesses are opening all throughout the world and are thriving. For example, Australia’s Mana Bar, Canada’s EXP restaurant, California’s Howie’s Game Shack, and New York’s Barcade are rapidly expanding due to overwhelming popularity. Gamers all over the world are supporting these businesses creating gaming culture for future generations. It’s going to be a ton of fun to see where gaming lounges take us.
Now, over to you! Do you have a favorite gaming lounge or great arcade bar experience to share? I’d love to hear from you. And the next time you pop into a gaming lounge, keep my motto in mind: One Mind, Any Controller.
Published at MMORPG.com
January 21, 2014
Video Games and Our Future, Portland Comic-Con
FRIDAY
5:30 – 6:15PM VIDEO GAMES AND OUR FUTURE: WE’RE ALL GAMERS
Don’t miss our anticipated guests give their insight on everything ranging from creating futuristic video games to delving into themes that span the most prevalent elements of pop culture. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at video game story details, gameplay features, and the influence video games possess in both video game culture and pop culture at large. Join author Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion), Billy Joe Cain (Wing Commander) Warren Davis (Q*Bert), and Paul Dean (International Video Game Hall of Famer) as they discuss the past of video game culture as it compares to today and how it can all show what is to come. (Meeting Room B119)
Genese Davis Portland Comic Con Panels
It’s an honor to be a part of the Portland Comic Con (Jan 24-26). I’m looking forward to seeing the city for the very first time and meeting as many of you as possible. It’s going to be a great show, so make sure to check out the full programming schedule at the Wizard World homepage. Here are my panels and descriptions:
FRIDAY
5:30 – 6:15PM VIDEO GAMES AND OUR FUTURE: WE’RE ALL GAMERS
Don’t miss our anticipated guests give their insight on everything ranging from creating futuristic video games to delving into themes that span the most prevalent elements of pop culture. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at video game story details, gameplay features, and the influence video games possess in both video game culture and pop culture at large. Join author Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion), Billy Joe Cain (Wing Commander) Warren Davis (Q*Bert), and Paul Dean (International Video Game Hall of Famer) as they discuss the past of video game culture as it compares to today and how it can all show what is to come. (Meeting Room B119)
SATURDAY
3:30 – 4:15PM WONDER WOMEN OF THE 21ST CENTURY
We couldn’t imagine our favorite comic book, TV show, or film without our beloved super heroines, however the journey for them has not been easy. Whether it’s cultural barriers or societal sexism, super women have had to fight more than just crime in order to survive. Come join Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion) & special guest speakers as they discusses the challenges and obstacles of creating relevant female protagonists in today’s male dominated industries. (OREGON BALLROOM 202)
